Inter 1-3 Roma: Zeman collects the first win of his second spell at Roma

September 3, 2012

The starting line-ups

An extremely open game finished with Roma on top.

Andrea Stramaccioni surprisingly used new signing Alvaro Pereira on the left of his central midfield three in place of Esteban Cambiasso – otherwise, the XI was the same as in the 3-0 win over Pescara last week.

As with all games involving a Zeman side, this was very open with space all over the pitch, despite both sides trying to play with a high defensive line.

Inter flood the left

The major tactical feature of the game was Inter’s amazing bias towards the left side of their pitch. Perhaps this was a deliberate strategy to attack Roma’s inexperienced right-back Ivan Piris, but they were also playing a lot of players in nominally central positions that enjoy moving towards that flank. Wesley Sneijder always moves over to that part of the pitch, whether at international or club level, while Antonio Cassano’s best football came when he drifted in from the left at Sampdoria.

Pereira is a versatile player but generally considered a left-back or left-winger rather than a central midfielder, and in the opening stages he stayed out near the touchline and swing at least five crosses into the box. There was no equivalent on the right side – Fredy Guarin played as a shuttler and sometimes ended up towards the touchline, but was basically playing as a standard central midfielder in a 4-3-1-2. When you add Yuto Nagatomo’s energetic bursts into the equation, there was a remarkable level of lopsidedness to Inter’s attacking play.

The other side

The player this suited the most was probably Federico Balzaretti, Roma’s attack-minded left-back who essentially had the whole of the left flank to himself – Guarin was the closest opponent to him, but when the Colombian closed him down, it simply left Alessandro Florenzi free to receive a simple short ball.

Inter were exposed down their right, and although it’s debatable whether any tactical factors contributed to it, Roma pounced down that flank. Francesco Totti picked the ball up on the left in a 1 v 1 situation against Javier Zanetti – there was no chance of Inter doubling up, they simply didn’t have enough players on that side – and he crossed for Florenzi to score. The midfielder had charged forward unmarked, possibly taking advantage of the fact that Guarin’s defensive role was unclear.

Inter go longer

Inter’s approach became a little more direct – rather than playing down the left constantly, they started to hit long balls towards the strikers, testing Roma’s high offside line. Yhey caught offside five times in the first half – although it seemed Diego Milito was timing his runs better as the half went on. There was also a strange incident when Tachtsidis dropped back ten yards behind the Roma defence, playing Inter onside – this wasn’t a strategy, just a bizarre piece of positional play.

Cassano got Inter level following a long ball and a fortunate deflection, but Stramaccioni’s first substitution was to remove him, after 50 minutes. He was replaced by Rodrigo Palacio, who immediately moved higher up the pitch and joined Milito in playing on the shoulder, looking for balls in behind. Stramaccioni had identified this as Roma’s weakness, but the strategy was less promising than with the Cassano-Milito partnership, and it’s arguable that Milito would have preferred Cassano’s deeper positioning to tempt the defenders forward. With two players making similar runs, the threat was more obvious.

Roma win it

As the game went on, it became increasingly frantic and lacked shape. There was more and more space in the centre of midfield, and this benefited Roma, who attacked directly through the middle of the pitch (whereas Inter were going down the left or hitting balls over the top). The third goal of the game was the crucial one – Roma played quick passes just inside their own half to get the ball forward to Totti on the halfway line, who immediately hit a glorious ball through to Pablo Osvaldo, who finished beautifully. It was the most obvious example of Zemanlandia so far this season – a thrillingly direct goal that stemmed from vertical running and straight passing.

Inter were rather tame afterwards, and Stramaccioni (having already brought on Cambiasso for Pereira) only had onechange remaining. He chose to sacrifice his holding midfielder Walter Gargano, who played the most passes of any Inter player but didn’t control the game as well as would have been expected as the game’s ‘free’ central midfielder. Cambiasso became the holder, Coutinho came on to play wide-left. Inter remained biased towards the left – they had two strikers, Sneijder central and Coutinho left – still, Guarin was the closest thing to a right-sided player.

Roma didn’t shut the game down – they continued attacking quickly and directly. Their third goal was again from a direct attack – four passes (all forward or diagonally forward) took Roma from their own half to the edge of the six-yard box, and Marquinho slammed the ball into the net.

Conclusion

A crazily open game that was always likely to feature plenty of goals, although Roma play with so little structure that you always sense the match could go either way.

The tactics of the two coaches – particularly Zeman – influenced the style and feel of the game, but the result tonight was more down to good individual performances, particularly from Totti (who played more passes than any other player, including the best one of the night for Osvaldo’s goal) and Osvaldo (who picked up a goal and an assist, but also was dismissed in stoppage time).

37 Responses to “ Inter 1-3 Roma: Zeman collects the first win of his second spell at Roma ”

Balzaretti and Totti combining down the right was what won the game for Roma, simple but effective, Balzaretti gave width and allowed Totti move inside into dangerous positions.

Inter’s only good weapon was Milito and as ZM said they ruined that by bringing on another direct striker. The bias towards the left channel was just confusing and shouldn’t be kept as a along term strategy. When will Inter learn that simple tactics can get the best out of players.

bond on September 3, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Barcelona vs Valencia!

Anonymous on September 3, 2012 at 7:26 pm

he already asked you nicely to stop commenting..

iden on September 4, 2012 at 1:41 pm

BOOOOOOOOO

Boo this man.

john_c on September 4, 2012 at 7:01 pm

dude get over it

david on September 3, 2012 at 4:54 pm

Inter certainly didn’t have to, no, shouldn’t, pour that much on the left flank even if their strategy was to attack through that side. They seemed not to care whatever happened on the other flank and just left a CM and a 38-year-old player to cover the entire zone, and on that side they were dealing with one of the best, if not the best, attacking fullbacks in the league and an iconic legend. In the end the match became chaotic in terms of tactics but the naivete of Inter’s starting strategy can’t be ignored.

Nasazzi on September 3, 2012 at 5:02 pm

“although Roma play with so little structure that you always sense the match could go either way.”

Not exactly sure about this – Roma did lose De Rossi after 30 minutes. That was always going to leave them a bit out of shape…

super dooper bilbao trooper on September 4, 2012 at 8:55 am

yes but the basic point is that other teams would re-organise and become more conservative and compact. Don’t think you’ll catch Zeman doing that!

Juvefan on September 3, 2012 at 5:09 pm

It was a very good,open match.I watched the first match of Roma against Catania,and Zeman’s side was poor.But yesterday they were very quick and direct,but I think this high defensive line is very risky and they will have problems for sure.

777 on September 3, 2012 at 6:05 pm

On Palacio’s introduction, I think Stramaccioni made the right substitution for three reasons. First, Cassano looked tired. Second, Cassano became more and more effective as the half went on because he began making runs to the right (although his goal had nothing to do with that). If Inter want to stretch the play, Palacio is a true wide forward and much more effective on the right (also more of a goal threat than Cassano). (btw Palacio was definitely playing wide-right, not as a second central striker). Third, Palacio playing wide should have helped pin back Balzaretti.

Also Silvestre turned in a pretty bad performance. Inter’s going to need to pair Ranocchia with a fast center back if they want to play a high line. Unfortunately the only ones they have are Juan Jesus and possibly Ibrahima Mbaye (nominally a fullback but I’ve heard he can play all across defense), who are both extremely inexperienced.

yretr on September 3, 2012 at 6:12 pm

inter are in dire need of a playmaker who lies deep. thiago motta was the one who used to calm the game down, now they dont have that anymore. That was the first they shouldve adressed in the transfer market

tobuto on September 4, 2012 at 5:15 pm

I remember that, before the start of the season, italian pundits suggested that Inter would have played 4-2-3-1, thus exploiting the vast number of advanced playmaker-wide forward-mezzapunta in the team. Maybe that was the original idea of Stramaccioni, but he later decided it was too risky.

toscano on September 5, 2012 at 10:45 am

TBH pundits fell for fantasy football/wishful thinking suggesting a 4231 for Inter (or at least they were expecting some different new player before the end of the transfer season).

That’s a very difficult fit for our forwards, nobody among Sneijder, Cassano, Palacio, Coutinho and Alvarez has the qualities (tactical, physical, playing style) to fullfil the demanding role of wingers in a 4231.

We could try Pereira and Nagatomo (who’s also kinda naive btw) as wingers, but that would mean getting short of fullbacks while still benching talented forwards.

tobuto on September 6, 2012 at 12:47 am

I think pundits just considered the 4-4-1-1 played last season and thought Stramaccioni would have adapted it to his new playes.
Actually Inter don’t have the right men for 4-2-3-1. Moreover, they haven’t the right men for any common tactic as well: they lack a deep laying playmaker (maybe Stankovic?) to go with an effective 3 men midfield; they lack winger with the pace and stamina to help out in defence AND the skills to be a threat (maybe Pereira and Nagatomo, as you said?); they aren’t used to a 3 men defence and I doubt Strama will consider it. Maybe some kind of 4-2-4, but I wouldn’t say this is the perfect tactic for italian football…

Awahs7 on September 6, 2012 at 9:24 pm

4-2-3-1 would work with Inter’s squad, but it completely hinges on Palacio. On the left, Coutinho and Alvarez can both do well, and Cassano can play as a left-of-centre SS (as he did with Sampdoria). None of those three players are known for tracking back, though Coutinho and Alvarez have both been trying to get into that habit. On the right, we have Palacio who is capable of providing the tactical awareness, work rate (he’s all over the field winning the ball back in every game), and a goal threat. I have no concern about Inter’s attack in a 4-2-3-1 setup (except that Palacio lacks a true substitute).

My main worry would be the midfield. Presumably, Gargano and Guarin are both starters, which is risky in a double-pivot as they both tend to leave space behind them. A 4-2-3-1 with those two running the midfield has potential to work like Germany’s NT, lots of quick play, can usually tear apart the smaller teams and bigger disorganized teams (Inter is currently of the latter variety, hopefully that changes soon), but can’t stand up to a true trequartista in a good midfield system. In those games, Cambiasso has to run the show.

I think Inter’s best all-purpose lineup (barring tactical surprises, of which this squad can pull off many) is:
———–Handanovic———–
Zanetti-Cambiasso-Samuel-Pereira
———-Guarin-Gargano——–
Palacio—–Sneijder—–Coutinho
————–Milito————-

It’s very attack-minded, but it closes off the right-wing by putting Palacio and Zanetti there, which allows Sneijder/Coutinho/Pereira/Milito to overload the left without opening up the rest of the team. Beyond that, it gives a ready reference-point to switch the ball to on the right side, as Palacio would permanently be there.

Sneijder/Cassano/Milito have all made 0 interceptions. during off the ball scenarios, Milito was too busy playing off the shoulders of Castan/Burdisso whereas Sneijder/Cassano were occupying space between the lines

Destro/Osvaldo/Totti have made 8 interceptions, with Totti making up for a match high 5 interceptions. Totti also completed the most passes out of any player on the pitch (75), and the most touches of the ball (92). for a 36 year old forward in the Serie A, this is quite a achievement. the media always makes totti out to be washed out, lazy, and selfish. but as he’s shown in this match (and all of last season under luis enrique), totti’s doesn’t display any of those traits. he truly put in a MOTM performance today and embodied why he is so important to our club despite his age

Nick on September 3, 2012 at 9:42 pm

Do you think there were any comparisons between this match and the second Milan derby?(Stramaccioni got his tactical plan where Inter successfully flooded the left flank to take advantage of Milan’s defensive weakness on the right side?)

-Almost where they pushed four players into the left area overloading Milan and were able to break them down…but were also able to stop counter attacks from Milan

Anonymous on September 5, 2012 at 7:27 pm

There were key differences in that game. The first being Milan were a central team with age on them. Roma play a 4-3-3 with younger athletic players. However the more important aspect is the absence of Maicon and Alvarez. Loading the left side worked for Inter because Alvarez actually has some discipline and works to defend unlike Cassano. He also sits deeper almost like a left mid in a 4-4-2. This gave inter balance defensively. Maicon my have been even more important as he gave life to the entire right side. Everytime Inter would overload the left side they could kick it out to Maicon in acres of space in full flight, which is when he is at his most dangerous. This is shown perfectly by the 4th goal. Zanetti cannot provide what Maicon could and his lack of presence going forward often left Guarin in bad situations with zero outlet, this led to a lot of cheap turnovers. Strama has to figure out how he will 1 compensate for the low workrate of both Cassano and Sniejder and 2. Find a new attacking outlet for the right side. Along with the obvious geling of a set of new players. Perhaps simply switching Zanetti and Nagatomo who is naturally right footed would do the trick. Jonathan is also an option.

Thatdude on September 5, 2012 at 7:27 pm

There were key differences in that game. The first being Milan were a central team with age on them. Roma play a 4-3-3 with younger athletic players. However the more important aspect is the absence of Maicon and Alvarez. Loading the left side worked for Inter because Alvarez actually has some discipline and works to defend unlike Cassano. He also sits deeper almost like a left mid in a 4-4-2. This gave inter balance defensively. Maicon my have been even more important as he gave life to the entire right side. Everytime Inter would overload the left side they could kick it out to Maicon in acres of space in full flight, which is when he is at his most dangerous. This is shown perfectly by the 4th goal. Zanetti cannot provide what Maicon could and his lack of presence going forward often left Guarin in bad situations with zero outlet, this led to a lot of cheap turnovers. Strama has to figure out how he will 1 compensate for the low workrate of both Cassano and Sniejder and 2. Find a new attacking outlet for the right side. Along with the obvious geling of a set of new players. Perhaps simply switching Zanetti and Nagatomo who is naturally right footed would do the trick. Jonathan is also an option.

both de rossi and balzaretti were injured and went out so it was clear that there is going to be a loss in shape, nevertheless its a clear asynchronous 4-3-3/4-1-2-3 with Totti as a hanging SS on the left and a LCM and left wingback play high on the pitch to deliver the runs for tottis one touch madness
meanwhile on the right side runs out of the deep can be made and a pass from the left can switch the play quickly to the other side exposing the opponent

alex on September 4, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Damn, FC Vaslui should of obliterated this guys from Europa League, they are so weak now.

ins on September 4, 2012 at 10:04 pm

Thank you for this analyses, ZM!

I would also disagree about the shape. As Milan played last year with a very separated forward line, Roma pressed hard and played with a separated defensive line. The work rate and interceptions of the forwards is a good prove for that and the young midfielders of Roma ran behind them to contribute in a good pressing.

Even at 36 Francesco Totti remains a magician. As someone else said earlier – 1 touch madness show from him and some extreme work rate.

I am glad about Osvaldo. He is showing an amazing progression from the last season and his new poaching role suits him very well. Hope that the partnership with Destro will work as it seems they did not synchronise much, otherwise Roma could have scored a lot more with this direct and quick tempo game.

KC on September 4, 2012 at 10:37 pm

Interesting, I’ll be keeping an eye on Roma, both Zeman and their manager before him both wanted to use an attacking style that I like to see. Hopefully it works well for Zeman

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